Rise Mzansi MP Gana Elected to Chair Phala Phala Impeachment Committee as Ramaphosa Challenges Report in Court

Makashule Gana, a Rise Mzansi MP, has been elected to chair the impeachment committee that will probe the Phala Phala scandal. AllAfrica reported the development from Scrolla. Gana said his focus would be on getting to the truth.

He said his first task would be to set up the structure that will guide the inquiry. "I'm focused on the work of Parliament and that work is going to proceed without delay," Gana said. He added that Parliament's work must continue unless a court stops it.

President Ramaphosa is challenging the Section 89 report in the Western Cape High Court. He has not applied to stop Parliament's impeachment process, which means MPs can continue preparing for the inquiry. The Constitutional Court recently ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully when it rejected the Phala Phala report in 2022.

The court said Parliament failed to properly scrutinise the impeachment motion against Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa appeared in the National Assembly for a question-and-answer session on 14 May. Parties in the Progressive Caucus walked out of that appearance.

He will deliver the Presidency budget vote without taking questions. Opposition parties are expected to use the budget debate to question him over Phala Phala, the performance of his Presidency and the state of government. Ramaphosa is expected to return to the National Assembly on Wednesday to respond to the debate.

Parties in the Progressive Caucus have not yet said whether they will boycott Tuesday's budget vote.